The government has dismissed North Korea's claim that it arrested two South Koreans on espionage charges.
 
Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol told reporters Friday that North Korea is detaining two South Korean citizens and making nonsense accusations.
 
Calling the North's move regrettable, the South Korean spokesman urged the North to release the citizens immediately and repatriate them to the South.
 
He also demanded the North guarantee their safety, provide necessary accommodations and right to counsel.
 
North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday that its authorities arrested the two South Korean men, identified as Kim Kuk-gi and Choe Chun-gil, on charges of spying for the South's state intelligence agency.